Clyde Cooper's Barbeque — Restaurant in Raleigh

Clyde's is unfortunately... too authentic. It's what I think food was actually like in Raleigh in the 1930's and it's run with a depression era mentality whose penny-pinching ways at first adversely affected my dining experience but ultimately left me feeling I had actually been duped and swindled. How can you get ripped off in a restaurant? I'll get to that, but first - the food: unless you are the type of person who says things like "I'll eat anything... as long as it's American!" don't go here. Seasoned mostly with salt and pepper and basically prepared. Now I love pulled pork vinegar-based barbecue, but the sauce on the sliced pork here was super super vinegary, like straight vinegar. I love vinegar. But I don't want to drink it straight. I'm sure the chopped barbeque probably soaked it up better, but I didn't order that. The fried chicken was so lightly battered and deep fried that it was almost like unbattered. If you are going to lightly batter you need to skillet fry it or it will be greasy, and it was. The brunswick stew was... well - not very appealing, and I like brunswick stew. The banana pudding was not "real banana pudding" as in it wasn't ever baked with all the ingredients in it. Big Ed's around the corner, and my grandmother's house, seem to be the only two places in N.C. that actually still make real banana pudding. You know, that's probably the main point - for amazing southern style cooking just go to Big Ed's. Oh my god - so good! Much much better everything. Love that place! But at Clydes the collards were nothing special. The servings were good sized but served on a way too tiny a plate. And that brings me my to my other complaint. The effort to pinch pennies affects the dining experience. Cups, plates, and cutlery are all disposable and of the cheapest variety possible! And you have to pay CASH for your meal, no cards. They seem really proud of this inconvenience. They say its to keep prices down but every cash only business I've ever dealt with was really dodging taxes. No one wants to pay taxes, I get it, but now it's my problem? On the menu they try to explain the fact with a cutesy story about Clyde the founder saying "If you don't have the money to pay for it you shouldn't buy it" - which is asinine because debit cards are money - not credit. It's not 1935 anymore, and Clyde lived a long full life and has moved on to a better place - and so should this policy. But what really blew it for me was it goes on to explain that they also do it, as I mentioned earlier, to keep prices down - so the working people down town can afford a reasonably priced lunch AND they have an ATM in the restaurant if you feel you just have to use that piece of plastic, so no big deal, right? Here is where the penny pinching shifted to screwing over the customer. The ATM only lets you withdraw... wait for it... a single $20 bill per transaction. One $20 bill per transaction. You need more than $20? Do it again. And it of course charges you $2.50 per withdrawal. So in order to "save" me the customer a 3% surcharge on my family's meal if I used my debit card to pay, they instead charged me a 12.5% surcharge to get the cash? So for my family of 4 I had to use 3 transactions and pay $7.50 in service fees. And at least half of that goes to the restaurant for hosting the ATM machine - unless they got smart and bought it outright. Then they get it all. Clyde must be giggling in his grave at us "rubes". Take my advice - go to Big Ed's, or Mecca, or The Pit. All great places downtown that serves southern style goodness - without that special "you just got served" feeling...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Clyde's Cooper BBQ, and let me tell you, it was a truly unforgettable experience! From the moment I stepped in, I was greeted warmly by the staff, setting the tone for what would be an exceptional meal.

Their meat combinations are a true celebration of BBQ mastery. The menu boasted a wide array of choices, from tender brisket to mouthwatering ribs and succulent pulled pork. Each meat was expertly seasoned and slow-cooked to perfection, resulting in a delightful blend of smoky and savory flavors that left me utterly satisfied. The generous portions ensured that I could savor every last bite without feeling rushed.

The sides were equally impressive, and I must say, Clyde's Cooper BBQ takes sides to a whole new level. The hush puppies were delightful little golden orbs of heaven, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, with just the right hint of sweetness. And don't even get me started on the mac and cheese—it was creamy, cheesy, and an absolute delight to the taste buds.

Now, let's talk about the fried chicken. Wow! It's no wonder they've earned such a devoted following for this dish alone. The fried chicken was perfectly crispy on the outside, sealing in the juiciest, most flavorful meat on the inside. It was like a symphony of textures and tastes dancing on my palate, and I couldn't help but be in awe of how well they executed this classic comfort food.

To top it all off, the ambiance at Clyde's Cooper BBQ was charming and inviting. The rustic décor and friendly atmosphere made it the perfect spot to enjoy a hearty meal with friends and family. The attentive and knowledgeable staff were more than happy to assist with any questions about the menu, making the overall dining experience even more enjoyable.

In conclusion, Clyde's Cooper BBQ is an absolute gem for BBQ lovers and food enthusiasts alike. The passion and skill that go into crafting their dishes are evident in every bite. Whether you're a BBQ connoisseur or just someone looking for a memorable dining experience, Clyde's Cooper BBQ should be at the top of your list. I can't wait to return to indulge in their delightful meat combinations, heavenly sides, and that irresistible fried chicken once more. It truly is a culinary delight that should...

I am biased when it comes to BBQ being born and raised on Kentucky Pit BBQ, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy explorering the variety of BBQs across the U.S. I really like the story behind Clyde Cooper's and the longevity behind the business and recipe. I enjoyed the simple touches like how everything comes on styrofoam. It reminds me of BBW picnics as a kid. I liked the sugary sweet tea and the fact that the waitress filled the cup so I could take it to go. I liked the southern charm of being called sweeties by the waitress. I appreciated the recommendations from our waitress. I wasn't going to get the fries chicken, but after she said she could eat her wait in it and couldn't pass it up. So let's talk about the food. The chicken was crispy on the outside and moist inside. It didn't feel greasy and it wasn't over seasoned. I also had the chopped BBQ(pork shoulder) that they were founded on. I was wetter than I'm used to with pit BBQ and was missing that punch of smoke, but it was flavorful without being sauced. Speaking of sauce. I enjoyed the single vinegar based sauce. I do wish there was some variations however. It did a great job soaking into the pork, but I don't know if it would pair well with brisket. The sides we're good. The butter beans and corn were a welcome suggestion from the waitress and the Cole slaw was crunchy with a hint of something unique that gave a little bit of sweetness. The meal came with fries skins that people will either take or leave and hush puppies. The hush puppies were worth the trip alone. They are not your fast food fish chain style of hush puppies. These are finger length fried delicacies that are crunchy outside and hot on the inside for the duration of your meal. They have that comforting sweet corn meal taste that you have to restrain yourself from eating in their entirety before your meal arrives. Overall I am glad I chose Clyde Cooper's as my one and only Raleigh BBQ stop. KEEP IN MIND until recently Clyde Cooper's only accepted cash. They now accept credit card but there is an...